Information on B-747 and C-5B Aircraft Cost Comparisons
MASAD-82-48: Published: Sep 21, 1982. Publicly Released: Sep 21, 1982.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO was asked to evaluate the cost of the B-747 and C-5B aircraft, competing alternatives for airlift enhancement.
GAO found that the cost estimates for the B-747 aircraft prepared by the contractor and those prepared by the Air Force vary widely because of differing estimating methods and assumptions. Major differences between the estimates for the B-747 are in the costs associated with operating and supporting a fleet of such aircraft. The contractor's estimates are based on its logistics support system while some of the Air Force estimates assume an organic Air Force support system. Other differences occur because the contractor and the Air Force used different estimating methods for computing fuel usage rates and because the Air Force uses a larger force of B-747's than proposed by the contractor. The cost of alternative airlift proposals has entered the congressional debate on the administration's airlift enhancement decision. According to the Department of Defense, the two major factors in its decision to acquire outsize airlift were the urgency and magnitude of an outsize cargo airlift requirement. In its study of the C-5B aircraft program, GAO found that a reported cost increase is the result of $700 million in underestimated program acquisition costs and a $500 million inflation adjustment due to a slippage in the planned contracting date.
Jan 7, 2021
Aircraft Noise:
Better Information Sharing Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise ConcernsGAO-21-200: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
-
Automated Technologies:
DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee SafetyGAO-21-197: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
-
Emergency Responder Safety:
States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside CrashesGAO-21-166: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
-
Reagan National Airport:
Information on Effects of Federal Statute Limiting Long-Distance FlightsGAO-21-176: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
-
Federal-Aid Highways:
States and Local Governments Reported Benefits to Federal Highway Fund Swapping, but Impacts Cannot be Definitively DeterminedGAO-21-88: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020
-
Aviation Certification:
FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small AirplanesGAO-21-85: Published: Nov 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 16, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
-
Aviation Safety:
FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed SkillsGAO-21-94: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
-
Puerto Rico:
Perspectives on the Potential to Expand Air Cargo OperationsGAO-21-21: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
-
Supplemental Material For GAO-20-686:
Transit Asset Management: Survey of TAM Program ParticipantsGAO-20-687SP: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020. -
Transit Asset Management:
FTA Should Clarify Performance Data and Develop a Plan to Guide Future Program ImprovementsGAO-20-686: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Transportation
Explore our other Key Issues here
